Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd v Rodney James Smith anor [2000] NSWCA 55

New South Wales Court of Appeal

CITATION : Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd v Rodney James Smith anor [2000] NSWCA 55 revised - 29/02/2008 FILE NUMBER(S) : CA 40498/98 HEARING DATE(S) : 17 February 2000 JUDGMENT DATE : 19 April 2000

Appellant: Leighton Contractors Pty Limited PARTIES : 1st Respondent: Rodney James Smith 2nd respondent: B&B Detail Joinery Manufactuers Pty Ltd JUDGMENT OF : Mason P at 1; Meagher JA at 14; Fitzgerald JA at 1

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION : Supreme Court - Common Law Division LOWER COURT SC 182/93 FILE NUMBER(S) : LOWER COURT Studdert J JUDICIAL OFFICER :

Appellant: B Toomey QC / M McAuley COUNSEL : 1st Respondent: C Calloway QC / R Taperell 2nd Respondent: J Hislop QC / J Lonergan Appellant: John Sharpe HIH Workers' Compensation (NSW) Pty Limited Sydney SOLICITORS : 1st Respondent: Baker & Love Solicitors (Charlestown) 2nd Respondent: Dunhill Madden Butler Sydney CATCHWORDS : Negligence - workplace injury - quantum of damages - declaration as to indemnity of employer - Workers compensation Act 1987 (NSW) - Construction Safety Act 1912 (NSW) LEGISLATION CITED : Workers Compensation Act 1987 (NSW) Darlington Futures Limited v Delco Australia Pty Ltd(1986) 161 CLR 500 Leonard v Smith (1992) 27 NSWLR 5 Canberra Formwork Pty Ltd v Civil & Civic Ltd(1982) 41 ACTR 1,21 CASES CITED: Rylands v Fletcher [1861-73] All E R Rep 1, doctrine Grljak v Trivan (1994) 35 NSWLR 82 Grljak v Trivan (No2), Court of Appeal unreported, 19 April 1996 Hampic Pty Ltd v Adams [1999] NSWCA 455 DECISION : 1. Appeal against the dismissal of Leighton's claim for indemnity by B&B allowed with costs.; 2.Declaration that Leighton is entitled to indemnity by B&B in respect of Leighton's liability to Smith.; 3. Leighton's appeal and application for leave to appeal dismissed.; 4. Application by Smith to strike out Leighton's appeal dismissed.; 5. Application by Smith for leave to appeal in relation to damages awarded from B&B be dismissed.